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A list of reminders to help you make an informed decision before you rent:
- is the agent in a redress scheme
- is the agent in a client money protection scheme
- is the property advert clear on rent, holding deposit and security deposit
- will my holding deposit be correctly handled
- have I got a tenancy agreement requiring only permitted payments
- are all the terms clear and reasonable
- which scheme is my deposit in
- have all relevant safety certificates and mandatory information been provided
- proof your purchase and avoid paying by cash where possible unless you can obtain a receipt
Read the list of things to check in the “How to Rent: a checklist for renting in England” GOV.UK web page.
The schemes your landlord or letting agents must belong to.
Redress scheme
Your letting or managing agent must belong to one of two redress schemes:
- The Property Ombudsman (TPO)
- The Property Redress Scheme (PRS)
Check if your agent is a member online at:
- The Property Ombudsman find a member (opens in new tab) Go to https://www.tpos.co.uk/find-a-member (opens new window)
- The Property Redress Scheme members (opens in new tab) Go to https://www.theprs.co.uk/consumer/members/ (opens new window)
Deposit schemes
Your deposit must be protected in one of three schemes and your landlord or letting agent must do this for you within 30 days of you paying (Keep a dated record of this payment for your records):
- Deposit Protection Service (opens in new tab) Go to https://www.depositprotection.com/ (opens new window)
- MyDeposits (opens in new tab) Go to https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/ (opens new window)
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme (opens in new tab) Go to https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/ (opens new window)
Client Money Protection (CMP) schemes
If you rent through a letting or managing agent and pay them any money for the property, like rent, they must be a member of a client money protection scheme. There are 6 schemes listed below where you can check membership:
- Client Money Protect Go to https://www.clientmoneyprotect.co.uk/propertyagent/members (opens new window)
- Money Shield Go to https://money-shield.co.uk/search/ (opens new window)
- Propertymark Go to https://www.arla.co.uk/find-agent.aspx (opens new window)
- RICS Go to https://www.ricsfirms.com/ (opens new window)
- Safeagent (previously NALS) Go to https://safeagents.co.uk/find-an-agent/ (opens new window)
- UKALA Client Money Protection Go to https://www.ukala.org.uk/ukala-agent-directory/ (opens new window)
If you think this has not been followed
If you have been mischarged, or your landlord / agent is not following these requirements, let us know if you attend:
If you do not attend one of the three Universities, see Citizens Advice.
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